Aviano prepares for looming sequester

  • Published
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Over the past several weeks, officials at Aviano have implemented new restrictions due to budget uncertainty stemming from the sequester scheduled to occur March 1 unless Congress agrees on an alternative.

Actions taken at Aviano and across the Air Force to mitigate the effects of a potential budget shortfall include implementing a civilian hiring freeze, discontinuing supply and equipment purchases and curtailing non-essential travel, said Lt. Col. Andrew Lind, 31st Comptroller Squadron commander.

"The intent of these near-term actions is to help absorb the impact on the wing should the sequester cuts be implemented," said Lind. "Up to this point, the biggest impact people may have seen is limitations on travel and purchases. Additionally, some repairs around the base have been postponed."

According to Mark Schlueter, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron deputy commander, the current restrictions have impacted day-to-day repairs and some upcoming construction.
"For the time being, most work orders and several construction projects have been put on hold," Schlueter said. "Examples include the entrance doors at the post office, exterior paint projects and roof projects. Right now, our focus is on the projects that already have funding from previous years or those deemed mission critical."

Lind is working with wing leadership to assess and mitigate the impact of the sequester at Aviano, should it be implemented in March.

"While we can't yet detail the cuts which would occur locally, it's safe to safe that we would see an impact to flying hours, base services and to our civilian workforce," Lind added.

According to Yvonne Dong, 31st FW civilian personnel officer, the hiring freeze currently in place has not had a significant impact on the base as it only applies to accessing new employees. If the sequester were to be implemented, however, furloughs would require most U.S. civilian employees to take a 20 percent cut in pay and work an average of one less day per week for 22 weeks.

"The guidance we've received from higher headquarters exempts local national employees from the furloughs, so the Italians making up the majority of Team Aviano's civilian workforce would not be affected," said Dong. "However, there are roughly 181 U.S. civilians employed at Aviano who would be impacted."

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta notified Congress Feb. 20 that the Defense Department is prepared to implement furloughs for civilian personnel in response to the threat of sequestration. The planned Department of Defense FY13 civilian furlough is estimated to save nearly $5 billion.

"I can assure you that, if we have to implement furloughs, all affected employees will be provided at least 30 days' notice prior to executing a furlough, and your benefits will be protected to the maximum extent possible," Panetta wrote in a memo to all employees.

The impact of the current fiscal restrictions has had a limited, if any, impact on most Team Aviano families. Leading up to March 1, family services such as the child development center will remain open, although families may see changes following the possible sequester.

According to Lt. Col. Tyler Schaff, 31st Force Support Squadron commander, the funding sources for family programs and facilities - appropriated funds versus non-appropriated funds - will play a role in how they are affected, but just because a program generates revenue, doesn't necessarily mean it will not be impacted should sequestration occur.

"Right now, we can honestly say we don't know how family programs will be affected, but we're studying all the angles to minimize the impact to Aviano families," added Bruce Morrison, 31st FSS deputy commander. "We're doing everything we can ensure the base is able to continue top-notch service for our community."